Inside Quantum Technology

The University of Vienna’s Space Dragon

Brian Siegelwax
The University of Vienna's Space Dragon

Congratulations to the University of Vienna’s Prof. Philip Walther’s international team for launching a photonic quantum computer into orbit. While I personally appreciate the importance of the mission, The Quantum Dragon is holding his breath in protest of “[testing] how long quantum hardware survives in orbit.”

This week’s premium content:

In this edition:

Kitty Q: A Quantum Adventure

This has to be the most unusual way to learn quantum mechanics, and that’s coming from the author of Quantum Beast: Spooky Action In Close Proximity. This smartphone game was developed with a descendent of Erwin Schrödinger and was funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Quantum Supremacy Meme’d

I wouldn’t say Arth Jaiswal’s meme represents quantum computing in general, but it does resemble “quantum supremacy” a bit. After all, it’s just a speed test with no need for accuracy. The major difference is that, unlike the meme, “supremacy” experiments don’t require practical utility. This link might require a LinkedIn account.

An Aspiring Indian Quantum Physicist

I haven’t read “The Lights of Shantinagar,” but 1) the protagonist is a quantum physicist, and 2) the review hints at the use of macroscopic events as analogies for quantum phenomena, kinda sorta like I did in Quantum Beast. My version is free, so why don’t you just go ahead and get both books, then let me know how they compare.

Simon’s problem is an early example of the Abelian hidden subgroup problem and a precursor to Shor’s factoring algorithm.

Not a Single Tweet

Twitter is always abuzz with every quantum threat to blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and yada, yada, yada, but I guess those folks don’t understand this one. I see an experimental demonstration of “exponential algorithmic quantum speedup” related to Shor’s factoring algorithm, but I don’t see any of the usual doom and gloom.

Xanadu’s Photonic GKP Qubits

This video is not for general audiences, but I’m a sucker for good illustrations.

Quantum Music Concert

Any chance you’re planning on being in Berlin on July 11? If so, check out this concert featuring Prof. Bob Coecke and his quantum guitar.

AI-Inspired Job Posting

Mateusz Kulesza has a unique way of posting IQM’s job openings. He has an “AI-generated digital twin” who is overwhelmed by his job (the job opening), and he is asking a qualified human to please save his twin by joining the company. This link might require a LinkedIn account.

Quantum + AI Event this October; Meet Some Speakers

Q+AI is unique. No other event specifically covers the impact of Quantum Computers and AI for three days. 60+ speakers are anticipated. Please meet a few here: Shaukat Ali (Simula); Reza Azarderakhsh (PQSecure); Yuval Boger (QuERA); Steve Brierley (Riverlane) and Bob Coecke (Quantinuum). Registration is open. Early Bird savings end 29 July. For additional information about the New York event see www.iqtevent.com

IQM’s “Razor & Blades” Dragon

Are you familiar with Gillette’s “Razor & Blades Business Model”? IQM is.

UNLIMITED QUBITS!!!

Silicofeller’s Enterprise plan offers UNLIMITED QUBITS for an absolute steal: only $125,000 per year. Buh-bye RSA-2048, I guess….

PsiQuantum vs QuEra

I don’t know the backstory to this, or if there even is a backstory to this, but it’s an Iron Man meme, so it belongs here. This link might require a Twitter account.

Mabuhay, Pilipinas!

Are you going to be in the Metro Cebu area of the Philippines July 30 to August 1, 2025? If so, check out QISTCon.ph 2025: the Quantum Information, Science, and Technology Conference in the Philippines 2025. If you can write it off, the venue is the tropical resort that hosted Miss Universe a few years back.

QEC is Puzzling

This report by Dr. Itan Barmes, Dr. Colin Soutar, and Dr. Alvaro Veliz Osorio of Deloitte is actually titled “Why Quantum Computers Aren’t Cracking RSA Yet: A Practical Guide to Quantum Error Correction” and uses the term “building blocks,” but I see puzzle pieces and puzzles are fun.

Zapata AI Job Seekers… only 1 left on this list!

If you were laid off by Zapata AI and would like a free listing in this newsletter, please reach out and let me know. I’ll maintain a list in The Quantum Dragon until everyone on the list has been gainfully employed elsewhere or is otherwise no longer actively job seeking. I might extend this offer to all job seekers, but I’ll start with these layoffs.

Quantum Noise Detector

Alan Ho and Prof. Michael Biercuk inspired the Resuscitated Quantum Bullshit Detector, but the original(?) has resurfaced on Bluesky. It’s back to reposting a simple “bullshit” or “not bullshit,” so The Quantum Dragon will continue to monitor for challenges, controversies, and debates under this new name from Dr. Bob Sutor.

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